In The Spotlight Royal Dutch Shell to go to Trial for Complicity in Torture and Murder of Nigerian Protesters New York, October 8, 2008 — Yesterday, Judge Kimba Wood of the U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of New York set a trial date of
February 9, 2009 for a human rights and racketeering case against the Royal
Dutch Shell company (Shell) and the head of its Nigerian operation, Brian
Anderson. The case was first filed in 1996. The judge rejected Shell’s attempt
to file additional legal motions to postpone a trial date.
Ken Saro-Wiwa, Jr., the son of Ken Saro-Wiwa, issued the following statement on
behalf of his family:
The family and all those who have had their human rights abused in
resource bearing communities are humbled and greatly encouraged by this news. It
is a relief that after 12 years we have finally vindicated Ken Saro-Wiwa's
insistence that Shell will one day have its day in court.
ERI Releases Most Comprehensive Survey
on Chinese Multinational Corporate Investment in Burma
September
29, 2008, Chiang Mai, Thailand and Washington, D.C. – A survey released by EarthRights
International reveals an increase in the number of Chinese multinational
corporations (MNCs) involved in hydropower, oil and natural gas, and mining
projects in Burma (Myanmar). The report, China in Burma (Myanmar): The
Increasing Involvement of Chinese Multinational Corporations in Burma’s
Hydropower, Oil and Natural Gas, and Mining Sectors, is the most
comprehensive survey on Chinese investment in Burma to date and identifies 69 Chinese
MNC’S involved in 90 completed, current and planned projects in the hydropower
and extractive sectors in Burma. Previous ERI research collected between May
and August 2007 identified only 26 Chinese MNCs involved in 62 projects. This
research, conducted over the last year, draws upon government statements,
English and Chinese language news reports, and company press releases.
This October, another landmark EarthRights International human rights case, Bowoto v. Chevron, will go to trial in federal court in San Francisco. The plaintiffs, with ERI as co-counsel, will present evidence that Chevron was complicit in gross human rights abuses committed against villagers who peacefully protested environmental abuses and other harm caused by Chevron's oil production activities. The protest took place at a Chevron drilling platform (pictured).
In The Spotlight Environmental & Human Rights Activists Testified Before Senate on Abuses by Chevron Washington, D.C., September 24, 2008 – The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee
on Human Rights and the Law heard today from human rights and environmental
activists, who described to Chairman Richard Durbin the abuses committed by
security forces working for Chevron Corporation in Burma and Nigeria.
Washington, D.C., September 24, 2008 – The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee
on Human Rights and the Law heard today from human rights and environmental
activists, who described to Chairman Richard Durbin the abuses committed by
security forces working for Chevron Corporation in Burma and Nigeria.
